THE GEOLOGY OF SEA-FLOOR MASSIVE SULPHIDES
40
Mitigation and
management measures
3.7
A key issue at the outset, before any exploration or exploita-
tion, is the clear definition of environmental objectives that will
guide management. These will vary regionally and nationally,
but are typically directed at maintaining overall biodiversity and
ecosystem health and function (see section 2 of this volume).
It is important to bear in mind that these objectives must be
balanced against what is technically and economically feasible.
A broad range of stakeholders, including persons who consid-
er they are likely to be affected by the activities, scientists and
engineers, will need to be consulted during the formulation of
mitigation and management measures.
Once these measures are developed, a review of the potential
impacts will be necessary to determine the residual impacts of
the development. Criteria for assessing residual impacts in the
marine environment are based, wherever practicable, on prob-
able extent, duration, and severity. Extent refers to whether the
impact will be a site-specific, local, or regional. Duration might
be either prolonged or short. Severity could be classed as neg-
ligible, low, moderate, or high. Once these criteria have been
defined, a cost-benefit analysis should be undertaken.
Where deep sea mineral extraction does occur, there are a num-
ber of ways to prevent, mitigate and minimize impacts, and sev-
eral have been considered within the context of SMS mineral
extraction. Some of these are listed below.
Sea-floor
The main impacts on the sea-floor are expected to be material,
habitat, and fauna removal, re-suspension of sediments, noise,
vibration, and light. To limit the impacts, possible mitigation
and management strategies include:
• setting part of the habitat, with representative animals,
aside to serve as a reference area and a source of animals to
assist recolonization of the impacted site;
• relocating some representative animals;
• installing artificial substrates to help recolonization by animals;
• order of extraction - where possible enhance progressive re-
habilitation;
• considering location, positioning, and method of any sub-
sea discharge to limit its impacts; and
• employing technologies/methodologies, where possible, so
that sediment re-suspension is minimized during cutting.
• limiting the number and/or size of mine sites
Midwater column
The main impacts in the midwater column are expected to be
the presence of the ore transfer system, the transit of equip-
ment between the sea surface and the sea-floor, and discharge
of seawater and sediment from the dewatering plant. To limit
impacts to the midwater column, possible mitigation and man-
agement strategies include:
• considering filtration to as small a size as practicable where
any sub-surface discharge occurs;
• developing and implementing emergency response proce-
dures in the event of accidents leading to spills that might
affect water quality; and
• using fully enclosed ore delivery systems.
Surface
The main impacts at the surface are expected to be the pres-
ence of the production support vessel or platform, barges,
noise, light, and the potential discharge of seawater and sedi-
ment from the dewatering plant. To limit the impacts at the sur-
face, possible mitigation and management strategies include:
• releasing discharge and water from the dewatering plant,
where possible, at least below the top 200 metres of the wa-
ter column (that is, below the light zone);
• developing and implementing environmental management
plans that specifically cover waste minimization and loss pre-
vention, in order to reduce impacts on water quality. The plans
should address, among other things, deck drainage, wastewa-
ter discharges, waste management, and ballast water;
• developing and implementing emergency response proce-
dures in the event of accidents leading to spills that could
affect water quality;
• adopting effective mitigation measures to minimize the risk
of injury to marine animals from ship strike or collision;
• installing an approved sewage treatment plant, certified
through relevant international standards, to handle such
normal ship discharges as treated sewage;
• maintaining deck lights on surface levels at the lowest levels
needed to ensure safe working conditions; and
• developing safety, health, and environmental policies and
plans for all offshore operations.
